Chapter 910: Dangerous Decisions |
Vivian watched Sievan intently as she spoke, looking for the faintest hint of a reaction.
He gave her nothing.
The demon’s features didn’t so much as twitch. One might have been convinced that he hadn’t even heard what she’d said. But Vivian knew better. Sievan was just too old and experienced to give her even the smallest advantage in their discussion.
That really wasn’t a surprise. She hadn’t expected him to let anything slip. It just would have been nice if he had. Opportunity only came to those whose hands were already outstretched.
“A disciple?” Sievan finally asked, idly swirling his tea in its cup like it was a fine wine. His voice carried nothing at all that she could use to determine his true thoughts. It was as guarded and useless as his expression. “You? How surprising, Vivian. I didn’t think you were the type.”
“The world changes, even if we don’t,” Vivian said. “And you know what’s coming. It’s hardly a surprise that I’d be wanting to prepare for it.”
“Hardly,” Sievan agreed. “But its been years since you last recruited anyone outside of your faction. For that matter, you haven’t trained a proper student in… ever. At least as far as I know. Perhaps my information was incorrect?”
Vivian’s lips thinned. They both knew it wasn’t.
“It is not.”
He’s very carefully avoided saying what his relationship with Spider is. Damn it. He’s making me spell everything out, isn’t he?
Vivian suppressed a sigh. Then she braced her hands against the table, splaying her fingers out and rising slightly from her chair. “Enough of the word games, Sievan. Please. Let us be direct. We both know what I’m asking.”
“Do we?” Sievan asked with a wry smile. “You’re going to have to be clearer about matters of such importance, Vivian. I’m afraid I don’t know at all.”
“Is Spider yours?” Vivian asked flatly. “Is he your disciple?”
Sievan watched her silently in response.
Unease bubbled in Vivian’s stomach. If Spider was with Sievan, then she was really in trouble. The other Faction Heads would find out before long. She’d look a fool at best… and that would be the smallest of her issues. Her relationship with Sievan was not the smoothest. Finding out that she was going after his disciple would not go over smoothly.
“He is not,” Sievan said.
Relief passed through Vivian.
It was followed only moments afterward by realization. Spider knew Sievan, but Sievan wasn’t his teacher. There really weren’t many reasons for a Rank 5 or 6 to be familiar with a Rank 8. Especially one as powerful as the Lord of Death.
The fact that Spider wasn’t Sievan’s disciple was actually almost more concerning than it would have been if he were. Potentially the worst possibility of them all was that Spider was… literally somehow just friends with him. Vivian didn’t even want to go down that route.
If they were just friends, then it meant Sievan actually viewed the mage as worth knowing despite his weak rank. And worse, it probably meant that Spider shared Sievan’s views of the other Factions. Views in which Vivian would not be seen well at all.
“What is Spider, then?” Vivian asked cautiously. “Just an acquaintance?”
“I fail to see how it is your concern,” Sievan replied. He leaned back in his chair. “Wasn’t your desire to make Spider your apprentice? I have nothing to do with such a venture. It is your problem.”
Vivian paused for a moment. “You… don’t object?”
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“Why would I? Spider is his own man,” Sievan replied with a small shrug. “I trust you will be offering him apprenticeship. I would not obstruct him when potential power comes his way. Of course, if you mean to force him to accept your offer, then I believe we will have a considerably different conversation.”
“I don’t need to force him,” Vivian said. “I am a Faction Head. If he is not your disciple, then there is no reason at all that he would be stupid enough to turn down my offer. The opportunity to learn directly from a Rank 8 mage is not something that anyone sane would ever hesitate for a second before taking. So long as I am not treading on your path, then there is nothing at all to even consider.”
“No, I suppose not.” Sievan’s features were as controlled as ever, but Vivian could have sworn she caught the faintest flicker of amusement hiding somewhere within them. That probably wasn’t good.
Does Spider despise authority or something? Even if he does… he’d have to be a damn fool to turn my offer down. He seemed quite reasonable when we spoke during the masquerade. I don’t really see why he’d refuse an offer from a Faction Head. It’s the greatest reward one can get from the tournament in the first place. He’s basically won first prize without even trying.
“So you won’t have issue if I seek him out?” Vivian asked.
“None,” Sievan replied. “It is your decision. An apprentice is a very personal thing. A great step forward, I might add. One thing I have discovered is that there is no better method of learning than teaching. Should Spider accept your offer, I suspect you will have a very enlightening experience. There is no reason for me to stand in your way. I wish you the best of luck.”
Vivian nodded slowly. This was natural, of course. There had been no reason to be concerned. If Spider wasn’t Sievan’s apprentice, there was no reason at all for him to stand in her way. It wouldn’t have made any sense. She’d just overthought things.
Of course Spider will accept. What am I thinking? This is the closest possible thing in the world to a blessing from the gods.
“I see. In that case, I doubt I will need luck,” Vivian said. “Then would you be so kind as to give me Spider’s location? You know where he is.”
“I do know where he is,” Sievan confirmed. He finished his tea off before setting the cup down on the desk with a faint click. “But I will not tell you.”
Vivian blinked. Then her eyes narrowed. “What? Why?”
“Because I have no reason to help you,” Sievan replied simply. “And Spider has not informed me of any desire to work with you. There is no reason for me to interfere.”
“Interfere?” Vivian asked, aghast. “This is an opportunity! The greatest one he will ever get!”
“I very much doubt it,” Sievan replied with a laugh. “Do as you will, Vivian. I will not stand in your way when it comes to matters of pursuing Spider. But that does not mean I will help you. It is good that you have gotten over yourself enough to ask for a favor. Unfortunately, I will not grant it.”
“Why?” Vivian asked. “This costs you nothing! And I would be in your debt. Even if it isn’t a major—”
Sievan rose from his chair. Power roiled out from him. Vivian’s mouth snapped shut as she grabbed for her own runes, reading them in an instant.
“I do not need you in my favor,” Sievan said quietly. “I do not need any of the Faction Heads. My goals are not ones that you can aid with. Be satisfied that I do not stand in your path. Find Spider on your own. This is yourtournament, after all. It couldn’t be that hard.”
“Just tell me why you won’t help,” Vivian said. “It costs you nothing. I don’t understand.”
Sievan’s magic fell away. The faintest of smiles crossed his lips.
“I am old, Vivian. Older than all of the other Faction Heads — and most certainly older than you. I was there when you were still just a girl. I watched your rise to power, and I watched all the mistakes you made getting there. Did I ever interfere?”
“No,” Vivian said. “No thanks there. If you had—”
“It was not my place,” Sievan said simply. “Their deaths are on your hands, Vivian. You killed them. Do not pass the blame onto me. You are the sum of your actions. Even those that you regret. And it was those deaths that permitted you the strength to claim the power that you now hold. Failure holds purpose. That is why I do not interfere with the young. It will impede them. Weaken them. To attempt to play god is to steal the potential of the young.”
“What would you know about that?” Vivian asked, her jaw setting as anger flared in her stomach. “Why would you bring up old history, Sievan? And how dare you try to relate to me. You know nothing of this.”
“I know more than you might think,” Sievan said. His smile turned sad. “But that is not the purpose of this conversation. I will not stop you from seeking Spider out. And I will not stop whatever happens after. Just do not forget the lessons that you have already learned. They were paid for in blood — and such lessons are always more painful the second time around.”
Then Sievan was gone, a fading shadow trickling away into nothing at all. Vivian stood alone in the room, staring at his empty seat.
She let her hands drop. The anger in her chest burned away. Sievan’s words echoed through the back of her head. Old pains panged in her heart. Wounds that she’d sealed over and ignored for hundreds of years groaned as they were pulled back open.
Sievan wouldn’t have brought the past up without reason. That was too much. Even for him.
Perhaps he had been trying to turn Vivian away without expressly telling her to in hopes of avoiding her spiting him. But even if he was, it didn’t matter. She had the confirmation she needed. Spider wasn’t one of Sievan’s.
Whatever warning the Lord of Death was giving didn’t matter. She wouldn’t be dissuaded so easily. Not at this point. There was no longer any choice in the matter.
Spider would be her disciple.
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